Wolves v Liverpool: FA Cup brings another meeting at Molineux

So for the second time in just a few weeks, Wolves are taking on Liverpool under the Molineux lights.

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Conor Coady looks set to lead Wolves against his boyhood club

But you cannot help but feel there will be less heavy hitters on show this time around.

The FA Cup is steeped in history and the two teams will, naturally, want to win this clash.

However, Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City last week means they are more focused on keeping up their title pursuit.

And Nuno Espirito Santo’s history with Wolves in cup competitions points towards several changes tonight.

That being said, this still has all the makings of a vastly-entertaining encounter as the Reds’ second string is not at all weak. And the same can be said about Wolves.

Record buy Adama Traore is likely to be in attack for the hosts, with last season’s star man Ruben Neves looking to put in a masterful midfield performance.

Liverpool probably won’t play Mo Salah, who stood out in last month’s 2-0 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but Xherdan Shaqiri, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi – the ones who are expected to make up the forward line – are no slouches.

Wolves are due to pay tribute to former FA Cup-winning captain Bill Slater before kick-off, so whoever is wearing old gold will aim to do him proud.

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Nuno said on tonight’s test: “We played them and we saw them against City.

“We know it’s a fantastic team with a fantastic manager.

“They’re in good momentum, so it’s going to be very tough. We must prepare well. They’re very organised, intense, with individual quality.

“They press well, and their counter-attack is one of the best there is. They’re a very good team.

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“It’s the FA Cup with a tough opponent in front of us.”

Nuno, speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, gave very little away in terms of who could be rested and who could come in for this one.

There will be a portion of fans who will be hoping some of the regulars play, to give Wolves the best chance of advancing to the fourth round and perhaps having a lengthy Cup run.

When asked if a Cup run, or going the whole way, is something he is desperate to do, Nuno said: “First, we look at the game. Then we decide. We can’t see the future. First, we have to play.”

What Nuno does know is that Wolves need to be better than they were as they fell to a 2-0 league loss to Crystal Palace last time out.

“There were bad decisions, not good possession of the ball,” he added.

“There were bad passes and we were too far away from each other, too many spaces. We didn’t have a good game.